03/06/2024 Secretary General of the Assembly
Speaking at the 4th International Congress of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on 27th May in Athens, PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis recalled that freedom of religion was a fundamental human right, and one of the foundations of our democratic society.
“I believe that the fundamental values of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights, must be the glue that binds us together,” she underlined, calling for intercultural and inter-religious dialogue to establish a new paradigm for living together and root it in the minds of our peoples.
“The intermingling of different cultures and beliefs is nothing new for Europe. Yet there are increasing instances of intolerance, hatred and violence, including antisemitic incidents and an increase in signs of islamophobia,” she said. “The Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East and its ramifications have geopolitical but also religious roots. The issues involved are incredibly complex and sensitive, and few in Europe are unconcerned by them, as recent demonstrations indicate,” she added.
Ms Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis referred to the phenomenon of migration as an area where religion and culture may also quickly be misused as a pretext for divisive and intolerant discourse. In this context, she outlined steps that the Parliamentary Assembly was taking to help member states welcome and accommodate migrants, and to counter unwarranted suspicion of them. “The European model is multicultural. There should be respect for all beliefs as long as the believers respect the rule of law,” she said.
The congress focused on the protection of religious freedom, democracy and human rights.
During the question and answers session, the PACE Secretary General replied to questions on the consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and the role of the Council of Europe in addressing these, including when it comes to the destruction of religious heritage; the Assembly's work relevant to the Ecumenical Patriarchate; women’s political participation; as well as the priorities of her mandate.
